Game



Patented July 8, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT Y' o'FFIcE Application December 28, 1939, Serial No. 311,256 (Cl. 273-88) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to games and particularly to a parlor game by which a game of. baseball may be played by two or more persons.

One object ofthe invention is to provide a board on which a game of baseball may be played by two teams, one team operating at one end of the board and the opposing team at the opposite end of the board.

Another object of the invention is to. provide a board having openings therein representing different plays in the game, these openings being for the purpose of receiving a ball shot from the shooter located at the home base and representing the batter.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the opposing team may operate instrumentalities associatedr with some of the openings to prevent a ball entering these openings.

A further object of the invention is to provide instrumentalities actuated bythe opposing team which are adapted to be moved upwardly through the board and prevent a shot ball entering the outeld.

A further object of the invention is to surround the diiferent openings with colored circles which will indicate by the color the particular play made r to be made.

A further object of the invention will be to associate with each opening characters which will indicate the result'of each particular play when a ball enters said opening..

A further object is to provide means at one end of the game board with means for indicating the various runs made by each of the opposing teams.

Another object is to provide the opposite end of the game board with means for indicating the innings played and the outs made in each inning.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of shooter to receive the ball and by which the ball may be shot from the home base to the outfield. n

These lobjects are all accomplished by the instrumentalities illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, one preferred form thereof is illustrated in the drawing, this form having been found to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described except as-required by the scope of the appended claims. Y Y Of the drawing- ,Y Y Y Figure lrepresents a plan View of a game board embodying the principles of the presentY invention.'

Figure 2 represents a longitudinal section of the same on line 2, 2,of Fig. 1. i

Figure B represents a side elevation of the ball shooter'. v-

Figure 4 representsva front `elevation ofthe same, and Y Y f l Figure 5 represents a rear elevation ofY the same.` Similar characters indicate `like parts. throughout the several gures' ofthe drawing. j

' In the drawing, I0 is a baseboard which may be made of any suitable material.

Extending upwardly `from the edges of the baseboard Ill are strips VI I of rigid material form;v ingsideandend walls. A Y Y The innerfaceof these strips or walls II'are provided with grooves I2 in'which is disposed the edges of a top board I3.V Y f T his top board. I3 is provided with a plurality of cylindrical openings I4 therein. l f j On the upper face ofthe boardI3V are representations of4 va baseball eld including the "outield I5 and the diamond or infield I6. Pictorially represented on the diamond I6 is the pitchers position I'I and the rst, second and third bases, I8, I9 and 20, these bases I8, I9 and 20 having cylindrical openings 2| therein.

On the diamond IB is also represented a home base 22. Y At the front end ofthe game board-is a trough 23 in which are disposed the balls 24 to be used in playing the game. r y

The openings I4 and ZI are all of less diameter than the diameter of the balls 24 so that when a ball moves into any one of these openings I4," 2I, it will besupported on the edges thereof and not -pass through the same. f.. I. VSurrounding the openings I4 are colored bands 25, each color representing. a given play in the game.

Associated with saidy openings I4 are characters 25x indicating the different playsin thegame. The advantage ofhaving thesecolored bands .25 around the openings I4 is to permit the player to see clearly the particularopening in Which-he desires to deposit a ball. u

A player will soon memorize the different colors surrounding the openings I4, each color representing a certain play, as vfor instance, steal base, one base hit, two base hit, three base hit, home run, out, and double play, two ou Provided a player has memorized the different colors for the different plays it will be unnecessary for him to look over the entire board and read the indicating characters x surrounding each of the openings I4.

At the forward end of the board are two series of figures 26 representing the runs made by the opposing teams playing the game.

Coacting with each set of figures 26 is a U- shaped member 21 straddling the front strip II and having flanges 28 on the lower ends thereof disposed in grooves 29 in the opposite faces of said strip.

When either team makes one or moreruns the U-shaped member 21 is moved over the figure designating the number of runs made.

In the strip I l at the rear end of the board are a plurality of holes 30 having associated therewith a set of figures 3I indicating the innings played.

These openings 3D are adaptedl to receive a pin 32', this pin 32 being inserted into onev of the openings 30 designating the particular inning beingplayed.

'Ihe strip I I at the rear end of the b oardisalso provided withthree openings 33 with figures 34 opposite the same representing the outs Associated` with thes-e openings 33 is a pin 35 which may be inserted into eitherA one of the openings 33 to indicate the outs in each inning.

The home base 22 is preferably provided with a tubular socket 36 adapted toreceive a spindle 3'Iextending, downwardly from the tubular ballpropelling device 38 shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

-When the spindle 31 is disposedin the socket 36 it is adapted to be oscillatedin order to position the ball-propelling device 38 at any desired angle to the home base 22, and by loosely fitting said spindle in said socket the device 38V maybe tilted to various angles as desired. f

If desired, the socket 36 and thespindle 31- m'ay be dispensed with. In this case, the. ball-propelling device 38 may be held by the player gripping the flange 39 and positioning the` devicev as desired at any given angle over the-home base 2v2.

The-forward end of this tubular ball-propelling device 38 is provided with downwardly extending feet 40 and shorter feet 4I at the rear end so that the forward end of the tubular ball-propelling device is somewhat higher than the rear end.

This inclination is provided so that when a ballis inserted into the forward end of the tubular member 38, it will roll down tothe rear end thereof into Contact with a springv plate 42 having a concaved portion 43 against the innerwall of which the ball 24 will rest. Y

Thisresilient spring plate 42 is retained upon the rear end of the tubulanball-propelling device 38: by meansof` ears 44 at the :sides and bottom thereof and. formed integral with the tubular portion of said device 38.

The spring plate ,hasV extending upwardly therefromv an operating handle 45.` l

Whenaball 24. isA disposed in the tubular member38f and'restingagainst the spring `plate 42, theoperator while-holding the -member 38inproper position on the board I3may move the handle 451rearwardly thereby bending the spring plate-42,

l Illllis `flexingofA the platecauses the concaved portion thereof to'- reverse its concave depression to the forward side of the plate very suddenly causing a distinctive clicking sound at the time the plate snaps forward and drives the ball outwardly from the tubular barrel over the surface of the board I3 in an effort to dispose it in some one of the openings I4 which would permit the batter to steal a base, or make a base hit, a two base hit, three base hit, or a home run.

In doing this he endeavors to avoid disposing his ball in one of the out openings or one of the double pla-y, two ou openings.

There is no need for quickly releasing the handle as the snapping action resulting from the bending of the concaved face of the plate does the work of projecting the ball outwardly, and at thesame time provides a distinctive clicking sound which` experience has proven is an interesting feature for the players and also acts as A a warning to the fielding player that the ball is inmotion, so that he can be on the alert to oppose the play.

The return of the spring platev to its normal position would,.of4 course, be backwards and away from the'opening at the front of the shooter and could not, therefore, by returning to its normal position cause the ball to move.

In the outfield I5 and adjacent to. the infield I8 are a plurality of U-shaped openings 48 in which are disposed U-shaped. members 4'I on the forward end of wires 48' pivoted at 49 to a transverse rod 50 at the rear end of the game board.

Preferably this transverse rod 50 is secured to the rear end ofV the game board at 5I., but obviously it could be secured to one side of the game board.,

In playing the'game a player of one team is at the forward end' of the board and one or more players of the opposing team is playing at, the rear end ofthe board.

Theseplayers at' the rear end4 of,v the boardare endeavoring to blockrtheV plays ofthe player at the forward end ofthe board. V

One way of doing this is to depress the extension 52 of the wiresl 48 and` cause the metalV U- shaped members 4'I'to. beA raised above the upper surface ofthe board I3V and stop the ball which has beenpropelled toward the outfield from the tubular member 38. Y

Another way of'blocking the players game is to move upwardly into certain of the'openings I4, a verticalportion 53 formed' at the forward end of a. wire 54 pivoted at 55 on,A the transverse rod SIJjand'l having an operating extension 56 at the rear'end-thereof. I

These members 53- are only disposed insome of the openings representing home run, steal basedA andv are not disposed inA any of the other openings, thereby giving the player anopportunity toV secure onev homeV run, certain-base hits, and certain-gsteal bases, without opposition bythefielding player.

Obviously, there are none ofthesevmembers 53 in the openings representingloutsf and: double play, two'outs, as it isto the disadvantageof the player to have his ball disposed on one' of these openings. Y p

The object of the player iste-propel his ball 24 in such a manner that it will bef-positioned on one of theopenings- I4 which will permit him tg makey a winning play `byste'aling a basesecuringfbase hits, or making a home run.

Theobject of the` player of thefopposingteam stationed at the rear oftheboardis toy prevent such-winning plays, Aiff possible', and'this is done by blocking the propelled ball by manipulating certain of the various wires, 48, 54.

When theY members 41 are raised above the surface of the board I3 in the path of a propelled ball, the ball will be stopped, preventing its further movement towards the outfield I5.

When the members 53 are raised in some of the openings I4 the ball will be prevented from being positioned in these openings, and moreover, in hitting these vertical projections 53 the ball is liable to be diverted and possibly be positioned on an out opening I4.

When a player makes a one base hit, a ball 24 is removed from the trough 23 and placed on the opening 2I at first base, and if he makes a two base hit or a three base hit, the ball is placed on the openings at the second and third bases.

If a player makes a steal base play, the ball may be removed from one base and moved to another base, and if there are any runners on bases, the one nearest the home plate is advanced one base.

When a ball is once positioned on an opening I4 it remains there until the next out is made, when all the balls are returned to the trough and a fresh batter comes to the lbat or a new ball is shot.

The reason the balls are not immediately removed when a scoring hole is filled is that this action of leaving the balls in the scoring holes. Where they happen to land, reduces the chance of a batter running up unusual scores, because fewer holes are available for scoring.

Furthermore, if a ball does not land in a hole, but remains on the playing surface between the holes, it is called a strike and the ball is allowed to remain wherever it stops rolling, as 'a hazard for the batter who must then avoid striking the loose or strike-balls remaining on the playing surface or be penalized with an out if he should allow a shot ball to strike a loose ball or marble.

As in the case of an out made by the ball rolling into a hole so marked, three strikes constitute an out and all balls or marbles are then removed to the trough as aforementioned.

It is really not necessary for the player to memorize all of the colors as the base positions `are also marked in colors corresponding to the same play positions in the outfield scoring holes.

The rules for playing the game of snap-shot baseball are as follows:

In general the regulation rules of baseball apply to the game except for some exceptions noted below. Nine innings are played allowing each team three outs for each inning and three strikes to each out, provided that an out is not registered by a field play, that is a ball entering a hole marked out or double play, or an out as a result of the actions of the fielding team.

The batting team attempts to shoot the ball into one of the holes marked one base hit, two base hit, home run or steal base, as desired, while the opposing team attempts to block the play by use of the fielding levers preventing, if possible, the entry into one of the scoring holes.

It is considered a strike when a ball is shot and fails to enter one of the holes, and three such unsuccessful attempts to score lare counted three strikes or one out. All loose balls or strike balls` (balls failing to enter holes) are left where they stop rolling, thus constituting a hazard, so that if in shooting another ball the shot ball hits one of the loose'strike balls an out is registered against the batter.'

Whenever 'a hit or home run is registered all loose balls are removed from the playing surface, but the balls that occupy scoring positions such as one base, two base, three base, home run, or steal base positions, are left in the holes until the next out is made when they are removed from the board. This reduces the chance of running up unusual scores as the filled scoring holes will obviously not be available for scoring until the next out" is made.

v As to the progress of the runners on the bases: All runs are forced in, that is to say, if a one base or two base hit has been made and then a three base hit is made, the man who might be on first or second is automatically forced around the bases ahead of the man who made the three base hit. If a stolen base is scored, the man who occupies the base nearest home plate advances one base, as for instance, a ball in the second base hole would advance one posi tion to third base, etc. If a steal base is scored and no man is on base, the ball does not count either as a strike or steal base. Similarly, if a double play" is registered with no one on base it counts for nothing. If one base is occupied and. a double is scored, the man is removed from the 4base and the batter is considered the second man out. If more than one man is on base, only one shall be removed and that one shall be the man nearest home plate.

As to the operation of the fielding levers: The fielder is 'allowed to use one finger of one hand and he must not ,attempt a fielding play until the batter clicks the shooter in shooting the ball. If in the excitement of the game, the fielder should accidently hit a lever which displaces a ball already resting in one of the holes, he is penalized and the batting team adds one extra run to its score, without affecting the position .of the men on base at the time, if any.

The U-shaped members in the short outfield are used to make outs and it is considered an out if a shot ball is intercepted by the U-shaped lever. A ball that comes to rest Iagainst one of the upright tips of the levers in the scoring holes in such a way that it falls into the hole when the lever is released by the fielder, is con--V sidered an out and is so registered, the ball being removed from the hole with any other scoring balls in the other holes.'

It is quite evident, therefore, that by means of this game board a very interesting game of baseball may be played by a number of players on each team, the players of each team taking turns at the bat until there are three outs in an inning, and then the positions of the players of the two teams are reversed.

During the playing of an inning the members of the opposing team may exercise considerable skill in manipulating the wires 48, 54, to block the various plays. f`

The game board may be constructed at a minimum expense and make a very interesting parlor game.

It is believed that the operation and many advantages of the invention will be understood without further description.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a parlor baseball game, a playing board representing a baseball field and provided with a horizontally disposed top wall with a plane upper face and having a plurality of cylindrical openings therein and over which a play -ball is adapted to be' rolled, said openings being smaller than the playing ball, side walls for said board, and a plurality of stop members below certain of said openings and adapted to be individually raised in said openings to prevent a ballresting therein.

2. In a parlor baseball game as set forth in claim l, in which some of said openings arein the outeld and others at the iirst, second and third bases andsaid stop members being disposed only in some of the openings in the outfield.-

3. In a parlor baseball gamel as set forth in claim 1, in which said board is provided with a ball trough between the front side Wall and the representation of the infield, said trough being rectangular and having an enclosing wall on all sides thereof.

4. In a parlor baseball game as set forth in claim 1, in which some of said openings in the outfield have associated therewith stop members on levers pivoted to the rear end of the board and individually actuated to force said stop member upwardly into selected openings with their upper ends ush with the upper face of said board.

5. In a parlor baseball game as set forth in claim 1, in which some of said openings in the outfield have associated therewith pins movable upwardly therein only to the upper face of the board and thereby preventing a ball resting therein.

6. In a parlor baseball game as set forth in claim 1, in which some of said openings are in the outeld, and individually actuated members operable from a side wall of the board to prevent a ball resting in certain of said openings in said outfield.

lrO

7'. In a parlor baseball game as setforth in claim 1, in which said board is provided between the outfield and infield with a plurality of U- shaped openings, U-shaped pieces of metal disposed therein, and means for raising said pieces of metal above the top surface of the board to stop a ball and prevent it from entering the outfield.

8. In a Yparlor baseball game as set forth in claim 1, in which the rear end of the board is provided with a transverse rod, and a plurality of individually actuated members pivotally mounted on said rod and having upward extensions on their forward ends, each upward extension being disposed Within one of said openings and each pivotal member being provided at its rear end with a linger-actuated extension.

9. In a parlor baseball game, a playing board consisting of a lower wall surrounded by side walls projecting upwardly therefrom, a horizontally disposed top wall supported by said side walls and spaced from said lower wall, said top Wall having a plane upper face with a representa-tion of a baseball field thereon, said top wall being provided with a plurality of openings in the outfield representing various plays in the game, means for rolling over said top wall a ball larger than said openings, a rod secured to the rear side Wall, and a plurality of members pivotally mounted on said rod and having forward extensions between said lower and top walls, the front ends of saidextensions having vertical portions beneath certain of said openings and each pivoted member having an upwardly and rearwardly inclined finger-actuated extension.

CHARLES P. L. BES'I'OSO. 

